The Macau Millions has typically enjoyed a strong showing of players in recent years, but the 2016 edition has seen a record breaking increase in entries – which could bode well for the future of the game in Asia. These entry numbers show that there is clearly a growing interest in poker within the region, despite the overall downturn in revenue within Macau. The prize pool for the Macau Millions stands at HK$6,136,317 (US$ 787,103) with the winner set to receive HK$811,000 cash (US$ 104,031), along with an entry into the ACOP Main Event, worth HK$100,000.
The tournament featured three starting days, with a standard, and a turbo heat, on each day. Unlimited re entries were permitted up until the end of level 6 with 7% of the field from each heat, progressing to day 2. All those who reached the second day have secured a min cash, and the structure was allowing a player taking two or three stacks to day 2, in which case the smallest stacks are removed and exchanged for a cash payment.
2,343 players entered the event (photo Kenneth Lim – Courtesy of PokerStars)
Record breaking field
The previous record for entry numbers in this event was set in 2014, when 1,804 bought in. This week, a total of 2,343 players have decided to enter the event, which represents Macau record for largest field. The number of players who played day 1c reached four figures, as 1,079 showed up, which was a record turnout for any day in this event's history. Day 1a and 1b saw 535 and 729 runners respectively, creating a total field size much larger than many had expected, or hoped for despite a buy in shift from HK$2,200 to HK$3,000.
"I'm over the moon with the result and it's safe to say that poker in Macau is still thriving." said APPT President Danny McDonagh."We increased the buy-in from HK$2,200 to HK$3,000 and decreased from six Day 1s to three so it was certainly a challenge to get here. But the structure adjustments that were implemented have clearly worked as intended and it's a terrific accomplishment to break the record in half the amount of days."
China's Alvan Zheng will lead the Final Table!
FINAL TABLE DRAW
Seat 1: Quan Zhou (China) — 4,185,000
Seat 2: Guancheng Wu (China) — 1,580,000
Seat 3: Jason Lo (Hong Kong) — 3,570,000
Seat 4: Howard Ka Ho Sun (Hong Kong) — 1,675,000
Seat 5: Boon Heng Siong (Singapore) — 2,040,000
Seat 6: Tony Cheng (Hong Kong) — 1,055,000
Seat 7: Chun Liang Pan (Chinese Taipei) — 2,115,000
Seat 8: Alvan Zheng (China) — 4,515,000
Seat 9: Tatiana Barausova (Russia) — 2,445,000
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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